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Math lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes

Reflect points in the x-axis and y-axis

Geometry

CCSS 6.NS.C.6.BEngland: KS3 Geometry and measures

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Reflect points in the x-axis and y-axis.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Coordinates in all four quadrants

Leads to: Reflect and rotate points on the coordinate plane

Materials: Rulers and protractors, Squared or dotted paper, Shape cut-outs, Mini whiteboards and pens, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Coordinates in all four quadrants). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. In which quadrant is the point (−7, −7)? (I / II / III / IV) → IIIPrompt: Quadrants are numbered anticlockwise starting top right.
  2. In which quadrant is the point (6, −5)? (I / II / III / IV) → IVPrompt: Quadrants are numbered anticlockwise starting top right.
  3. In which quadrant is the point (−1, −7)? (I / II / III / IV) → IIIPrompt: Quadrants are numbered anticlockwise starting top right.

Hook · 5 min

  • Show a photo of a building, a tile pattern or a road sign and ask what shapes and angles students can spot.
  • Share the objective: Reflect points in the x-axis and y-axis. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Reflect (1, 8) in the y-axis, then reflect the result in the x-axis. Where does it end up?
  • Step 1: (1, 8) → (−1, 8) → (−1, −8)
  • Answer: (−1, −8)
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Reflect (2, −7) in the y-axis, then reflect the result in the x-axis. Where does it end up? → (−2, 7)Prompt: Do one reflection at a time.
  2. Reflect (1, 4) in the y-axis, then reflect the result in the x-axis. Where does it end up? → (−1, −4)Prompt: Do one reflection at a time.

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Reflect (5, 8) in the y-axis, then reflect the result in the x-axis. Where does it end up? → (−5, −8)Prompt: Do one reflection at a time.
  2. Reflect (−7, 3) in the y-axis, then reflect the result in the x-axis. Where does it end up? → (7, −3)Prompt: Do one reflection at a time.

Watch out for

  • Thinking a square turned on its corner is no longer a square.
  • Reading the wrong scale on a protractor.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Coordinates in all four quadrants.
  • Use concrete materials: rulers and protractors.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Reflect and rotate points on the coordinate plane.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/math/grade-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Reflect points in the x-axis and y-axis

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    P (−5, −4) is reflected to P′ (5, 4). How was it reflected?

    xy−10−8−6−4−2246810−10−8−6−4−22468100PP′
    • A. In the x-axis
    • B. In the y-axis
    • C. In both axes, one after the other

  2. Question 2

    Reflect (8, 3) in the x-axis. Type the new point like (2, −3).

    xy−10−8−6−4−2246810−10−8−6−4−22468100P

    Answer

  3. Question 3

    Reflect (2, 5) in the y-axis, then reflect the result in the x-axis. Where does it end up?

    Answer

  4. Question 4

    P (7, −8) is reflected to P′ (−7, 8). How was it reflected?

    xy−10−8−6−4−2246810−10−8−6−4−22468100PP′
    • A. In the x-axis
    • B. In the y-axis
    • C. In both axes, one after the other

  5. Question 5

    Reflect (−1, 1) in the y-axis. Type the new point like (2, −3).

    xy−10−8−6−4−2246810−10−8−6−4−22468100P

    Answer

  6. Question 6

    Reflect (3, −3) in the y-axis, then reflect the result in the x-axis. Where does it end up?

    Answer

  7. Question 7

    P (6, 2) is reflected to P′ (6, −2). How was it reflected?

    xy−10−8−6−4−2246810−10−8−6−4−22468100PP′
    • A. In the x-axis
    • B. In the y-axis
    • C. In both axes, one after the other

  8. Question 8

    Reflect (3, −3) in the x-axis. Type the new point like (2, −3).

    xy−10−8−6−4−2246810−10−8−6−4−22468100P

    Answer

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Answer key: Reflect points in the x-axis and y-axis

  1. 1. C. In both axes, one after the other

  2. 2. (8, −3)

  3. 3. (−2, −5)

  4. 4. C. In both axes, one after the other

  5. 5. (1, 1)

  6. 6. (−3, 3)

  7. 7. A. In the x-axis

  8. 8. (3, 3)